Standard Three - Cultural Leadership
Element 3a. Focus on Collaborative Work Environment:
The school executive understands and acts on the understanding of the positive role that a collaborative environment can play in the school’s culture. During Culture and Collaboration class, I learned that the effectiveness of a school can be measured by its cultural elements. Principals and community stakeholders must work collaboratively to create a shared vision and establish the identity of a school through acknowledgement and improvement of their cultural elements. One of my assignments for this course was to create a sustainable school culture plan for a fictional school. In "Establishing a School Culture at Truth Elementary School," some of the cultural elements I focused on were collaborative decision making, systematic communication, and a shared vision, mission, and values. |
|
Element 3b. School Culture and Identity:
The school executive develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.
During my first year in this MSA program while still teaching 4th fourth grade, I created a data story for my school. This story helped me define the history, culture, and identity of Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary School. From this project, I created an infographic that spotlighted the reoccurring theme of change by showing the transition of new leadership, growth in student enrollment, and a more diverse, student population.
The school executive develops and uses shared vision, values and goals to define the identity and culture of the school.
During my first year in this MSA program while still teaching 4th fourth grade, I created a data story for my school. This story helped me define the history, culture, and identity of Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary School. From this project, I created an infographic that spotlighted the reoccurring theme of change by showing the transition of new leadership, growth in student enrollment, and a more diverse, student population.
Element 3c. Acknowledges Failures; Celebrates Accomplishments and Rewards:
The school executive acknowledges failures and celebrates accomplishments of the school in order to define the identity, culture and performance of the school. As a principal resident, I have had the opportunity to acknowledge our areas of growth as a school and celebrate our accomplishments. At the beginning of the year, we (the admin. team) spent a considerable amount of time analyzing our school's 18-19 EOG data for reading, math, and science. In comparison to the 16-17 and 17-18 school years, our students met growth in reading and exceeded growth for math. To acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our teachers for implementing quality instruction helping our students make academic growth, we planned a surprise ice cream and cupcakes celebration for all staff members during our November faculty meeting. I was in charge of working our bookkeeper to purchase the snacks and set up the media center for this celebration. In addition to this celebratory event, my principal mentor sent a congratulatory email to teachers about an increase in EVASS scores. |
|
Element 3d. Efficacy and Empowerment:
The school executive develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school’s identity, culture and performance.
As principal resident, I have had the opportunity to promote teacher efficacy and empowerment by acknowledging and commemorating the nomination of Justin Miller as West Millbrook's 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year. The administrative team celebrated this accomplishment by providing cake and ice cream for Mr. Miller and students in his 3rd period class. In addition, Dr. Barker, our former superintendent and the administrative team surprised Mr. Miller with a brand new chromebook for his commitment to teaching and learning. While leading the 8th grade team, I continued the monthly ritual of nominating a Puma Teacher of the Month based on votes and comments from staff and students. Once a teacher was chosen, I decorated their classroom door with our grade level Puma-T poster and laminated Post-It notes that contained the kind comments they received from students and staff members. To show our appreciation, teachers were given a Puma-T award and lunch from a nearby restaurant also.
The school executive develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff which influences the school’s identity, culture and performance.
As principal resident, I have had the opportunity to promote teacher efficacy and empowerment by acknowledging and commemorating the nomination of Justin Miller as West Millbrook's 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year. The administrative team celebrated this accomplishment by providing cake and ice cream for Mr. Miller and students in his 3rd period class. In addition, Dr. Barker, our former superintendent and the administrative team surprised Mr. Miller with a brand new chromebook for his commitment to teaching and learning. While leading the 8th grade team, I continued the monthly ritual of nominating a Puma Teacher of the Month based on votes and comments from staff and students. Once a teacher was chosen, I decorated their classroom door with our grade level Puma-T poster and laminated Post-It notes that contained the kind comments they received from students and staff members. To show our appreciation, teachers were given a Puma-T award and lunch from a nearby restaurant also.